Driving Torque

It's All About The Motors.

Driving Torque

This is the YouTube page for Driving Torque - Articles, reviews and opinions about cars and all things automotive.
Go to www.drivingtorque.com

Driving Torque
Review by Ben Harrington from Driving Torque of the Suzuki Jimny SZ5
Suzuki Jimny Review
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_tBEwl0WmNRw
Watch as a Model X performs its Celebration Mode Easter egg in the snow
Tesla Model X Celebration Mode
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_Z04UK1MRXjE
This is what the exhaust tail pipe of a Ford Focus RS sounds and looks like when you accelerate quickly.
2017 Ford Focus RS Exhaust
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_QkKOE0J4baE
Another gratuitous exhaust video for you. This time it's the behemoth that is the Mercedes GL63 AMG.
Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG exhaust sounding immense
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_S7TdJrBe8aw
This is a Porsche Cayman in Sport Plus mode with a Sports exhaust, showing the exhaust revving and moving as the car is put through its paces. Great footage of over-run and even the heat haze from the hot engine.
Porsche Cayman PDK Sport Plus
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_8l_WTgJB0sk
Subscribe
  • Home
  • About
  • Ben’s Car CV
  • DTQ Partners
  • Contact

Audi Q3 TFSI S line – Driven and Reviewed

November 25, 2014 by benharrington 11 Comments

Audi_Q3_TFSI_Sline_interiorUsual interior quality in the Audi Q3 TFSI

Anyone who’s ever sat in any breed of Audi, of any description, or who knows someone who has, will be well aware that they know a thing or two about making interior spaces comfortable and inviting, and this Audi Q3 is no different. Taking something like a car’s dashboard for granted is an easy thing to do – it’s not something people usually talk about, but when you look at the way the Q3’s is sculpted and formed to be as user-friendly and attractive as possible, it gives a very good indication of just how much importance Audi place on their living spaces.

It doesn’t end with a few nice shapes though – the tactile element of the Audi Q3’s cabin is just as satisfying; I’ve pointed out before how important the feel of a steering wheel should be to manufacturers – it’s the part of a car your hands will come into contact with most often, by far. Run your hands over an Audi steering wheel, especially an S Line one, and it just feels right – such an obvious detail, and yet one so often overlooked.

Audi_Q3_TFSI_Sline_front_lightLet there be light……

Audi have also set the pace recently regarding illumination; they were the first manufacturer to feature DRLs (daytime running lights) – for a while, bright LED light signatures on any car were referred to as “Audi lights”. Their expertise in the field is mirrored inside the car also. Combining the usual white lights with their trademark red creates an atmosphere and ambience that’s unparalleled. Any photographer or interior designer will tell you that light can be your best friend or your worst enemy – depending on how it’s used; Audi get on very well with light.

audi_q3_tfsi_frontPanoramic glass sunroofs are another great way of adding light to any car and can make any small space feel more generous. If you’re going to spend £1,100 on the Audi Q3’s optional roof , I’d just be a bit wary if anyone driving it’s over 6 feet tall. I use this height as the limit because that’s how tall I am and I just about got away with it with the seat on its lowest setting – anyone any taller will curse the glass roof as it does steal a valuable couple of inches of headroom.

…….and sound

Speaking of options though, at £690, the BOSE surround sound system is an absolute must. I’ve driven cars with far more expensive systems from equally impressive stereo makers, and been left completely underwhelmed. Not so the BOSE – it is absolutely sublime and, I think, a bit of a bargain.

Update due soon

audi_q3_tfsi_sideThe Audi Q3 will be updated fairly soon with a bit of a facelift and slightly revised engines  – you can have a look here; http://www.audi.co.uk/new-cars/q3/q3.html – but they’ll still be instantly recognisable as Audi’s smallest SUV (until the rumoured Q2 comes out soon, at least). They’ll also still utilise VAG’s PQ35 platform – it may not be as modern and ubiquitous as the MQB platform, but it performs admirably on the Audi Q3. It handles the road with the minimum of fuss, achieving the objective of performing more like an A3 than a big, wallowy SUV when the tarmac comes over all twisty, even without Audi’s much-lauded Quattro system driving all four wheels.

Part of the New Audi Q3’s facelift will involve, quite literally, a facelift, with the dominant feature – the Darth Vader/Hannibal Lecter/Hoover Dam ‘mouth’ being remodelled into something more 3D and slightly more subtle – very much in the style of the original Q3 from 2011. This shape Audi Q3 is slightly front-heavy in the looks department, but when you add the larger wheels and other highlights that come with the S-Line spec that’s on our test car, it all balances out very well.

Smaller is better

audi_q3_tfsi_leather_seatThe New Audi Q3 will also come with some updated engine technology, the most frugal being a very clever, cylinder deactivating variant of the 1.4 TFSI petrol we’ve got here. Audi expect around one fifth of sales to be powered by their smallest unit, I’m thinking it’ll be a little higher. At 137g/km it produces Diesel rivalling levels of CO2 and slots into tax band E, yet at the same time, it’s genuinely good fun to drive. Sub 10s 0-60 times aren’t anything to write home about, but the way this Q3 TFSI is geared, combined with that beautifully weighted chassis, makes for a hugely satisfying driving experience. An unexpected bonus is the fantastic burble from the exhausts when you hit 4000rpm; I really wasn’t expecting it but the tones that resonate through the cabin just add to the sense of fun.

If you still need convincing to swap a larger oil-burner for this Q3 TFSI petrol, can I just throw in the fact that it’ll cost a whopping £3,900 less than its nearest priced alternative. £4K is not to be sniffed at and it quite conveniently keeps the Audi Q3 more wallet-friendly than some other manufacturer’s alternative, namely the Range Rover Evoque.

Audi_Q3_tfsi_badgeWhat does it all add up to?

Sometimes, every once in a while, you put all the correct ingredients together and life has a really vexing way of messing the recipe up, with no explanation offered, leaving you with a right dog’s dinner where should have been a masterpiece.

Conversely, sometimes the opposite occurs and what, on paper, shouldn’t turn out to be anything particularly special is actually pretty wonderful.

I think it’s called equalling more than the sum of its parts, and this fairly run-of-the-mill Audi Q3 TFSI is a superb example of such an occurrence.

By Ben Harrington

Specifications; Audi Q3 TFSI S line, Transmission – 6 spd manual, Layout – Front engine, FWD, Power – 150Ps, Torque – 250Nm, Emissions – 137g/km CO2, Economy – 47.9 mpg combined, Maximum Speed – 126mph, Acceleration – 9.2s 0-62mph, Price – £25,850 OTR, £32,770 as tested

For full details go to www.audi.co.uk

Filed Under: Road Test, SUV Tagged With: a.u.d.i, macan, off-road, Quattro, SUV, Tiguan

Trackbacks

  1. VW buy Porsche, what's the big deal? - Driving Torque says:
    February 2, 2015 at 10:44 pm

    […] just VW and Porsche however. Volkswagen also bring to the party Skoda and Seat and when you add Audi to the equation, there’s all of their models and, as if we could forget, Lamborghini to throw […]

    Reply
  2. Citroën DS5 DSport Hybrid4 - First Drive - Driving Torque says:
    February 2, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    […] Passat and Vauxhall’s Insignia, and more premium models such as VW’s CC and Audi’s A4. Even Mercedes would be proud to create this new segment, but the overall perception of quality […]

    Reply
  3. My own MINI Adventure - how I rediscovered my idenity - Driving Torque says:
    February 3, 2015 at 2:08 pm

    […] could only be described as treachery, as many people would ask ‘So, what’s replaced the Audi?’ and I’d point sheepishly at my pretty Vespa, quickly uttering some pathetic excuse, […]

    Reply
  4. Volvo S60 Driven and Reviewed - Driving Torque says:
    February 4, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    […] car interiors – I’d present it to Volvo. I’m aware of the works of  the likes of Audi and Jaguar, neither of which could realistically be described as shabby, but there’s […]

    Reply
  5. Jaguar XJ LWB Portfolio - Driven and Reviewed - Driving Torque says:
    February 4, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    […] XJ LWB and then immediately compare it to the equivalent offerings from BMW, Mercedes or even Audi – Britain 1 – Germany […]

    Reply
  6. Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible- Driven and Reviewed - Driving Torque says:
    February 4, 2015 at 2:53 pm

    […] developed an all new V8 in conjunction with Audi, prospective customers have had the option for a couple of years now to opt for a 4.0l, twin-turbo […]

    Reply
  7. Hyundai Veloster Turbo - Driven and Reviewed - Driving Torque says:
    February 5, 2015 at 1:24 pm

    […] if not dramatic, especially in this range-topping Turbo guise we have on test. We start off with an Audi-esque trapezoidal mouth that dominates the front end, sucking in enough air to keep the greediest […]

    Reply
  8. KIA Sportage - Driven and Reviewed says:
    May 26, 2015 at 10:22 am

    […] so easily identified as being Herr Schreyer’s handwork, mainly because it looked like an Audi, but Audis have moved on since then and they don’t look like they did five years ago. The new […]

    Reply
  9. Audi TT Ultra - Driven and Reviewed says:
    May 31, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    […] to the popularity of its almost symmetrical silhouette, Audi haven’t strayed far from that basic formula with subsequent TTs, and this Mark 3 could never […]

    Reply
  10. Jeep Cherokee Limited 4x4 - Driven and Reviewed says:
    June 14, 2015 at 7:56 am

    […] but this is reflected in its more competitive pricing as it undercuts the equivalent models from Audi, BMW, Land Rover and Volvo by £2-4K. Just don’t buy the […]

    Reply
  11. Audi Q7 S Line 218PS Review - Driving Torque says:
    August 14, 2016 at 7:10 pm

    […] follows on, then, that Audi should be forerunners in applying their vast knowledge of driving all four wheels in the shape of a […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Driving Torque

I'm Ben Harrington and I'm a car lover, freelance motoring journalist and family-man (I'll let you decide the order!) I started Driving Torque in 2010 to share my love of all things motoring with the wider world. Since then, … continue reading

Driving Torque’s Instagram Posts

driving_torque

We’ve spent some time recently with the crossove We’ve spent some time recently with the crossover it’s ok to be seen in - the All-New Subaru Outback. #subaru #outback #carsofinstagram
Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the las Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the last Honda HR-V. This goes back today, though, and I think I’ll miss it. #honda #hondahrv #carsofinstagram
Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the las Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the last Honda HR-V. This goes back today, though, and I think I’ll miss it. #honda #hondahrv #carsofinstagram
Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the las Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the last Honda HR-V. This goes back today, though, and I think I’ll miss it. #honda #hondahrv #carsofinstagram
Another highlight from this week’s SMMT Test Day Another highlight from this week’s SMMT Test Day was this; the unashamedly macho Ford Mustang Mach 1. A full review will follow later this year, hopefully. #ford #fordmustang #forduk #carsofinstagram
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Driving Torque’s Twitter Feed

Ben Harrington Follow

Freelance motoring writer and Editor of Driving Torque. @NGMWcars member. Classic VW owner. Husband and father to a wonderful wife and two amazing young ladies.

DrivingTorque
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
11h

https://buff.ly/3ObO4Z5 #honda #hrv #hybrid #review #roadtest

Reply on Twitter 1542117432768299013 Retweet on Twitter 1542117432768299013 1 Like on Twitter 1542117432768299013 Twitter 1542117432768299013
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
28 Jun

https://buff.ly/3lWtAH5 #ssangyong #tivoli #review #suv

Reply on Twitter 1541740446468243458 Retweet on Twitter 1541740446468243458 1 Like on Twitter 1541740446468243458 Twitter 1541740446468243458
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
27 Jun

We’ve spent some time recently with the crossover it’s ok to be seen in - the All-New Subaru Outback. #subaru #outback

4

Reply on Twitter 1541376402318041093 Retweet on Twitter 1541376402318041093 Like on Twitter 1541376402318041093 3 Twitter 1541376402318041093
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
23 Jun

https://buff.ly/3ObO4Z5 #honda #hrv #review #hybrid

Reply on Twitter 1540033698485133313 Retweet on Twitter 1540033698485133313 1 Like on Twitter 1540033698485133313 Twitter 1540033698485133313
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
22 Jun

https://buff.ly/3ObO4Z5 #honda #hrv #review #roadtest

Reply on Twitter 1539671061008191492 Retweet on Twitter 1539671061008191492 1 Like on Twitter 1539671061008191492 1 Twitter 1539671061008191492
Load More

© 2022 · DrivingTorque.com · Site designed and built by Kobestarr.com